Egyptian Glazed Hieroglyphic Shabti

$1,004.65

A pale blue faience shabti with tripartite wig and false beard. He carries agricultural tools in his crossed hands and a seed bag to the left shoulder. The shabti also features a dorsal pillar, rectangular base, a circumferential band of hieroglyphic text to the waist, and a vertical band to the lower body.

Provided with a custom made stand.

Date: 664-332 B.C.
Period: Late Period
Provenance: Ex Dubois collection; acquired Paris, 1970s.

SOLD

SKU: AS-3673 Category: Tags: , ,

Shabtis (or ushabtis) were figurines in mummified form, which were placed in Egyptian tombs to do any work required by the deceased in the afterlife. They were inscribed with a special formula (Shabti formula), which would call them to life when recited. Sometimes shabtis were also inscribed with passages from the Book of the Dead, the intention of which was to secure safety for the deceased in the afterlife. Shabtis were mostly made of faience, but wood, bronze, and stone were also used – towards the Late Period, the number of shabtis inside the tomb increased, eventually allowing one for each day of the year.

 

 

Weight 81 g
Dimensions H 13.5 cm
Country

Culture

Faience

Region

Reference: Literature Cf. Berman, L.M. Cleveland Museum of Art Catalogue of Egyptian Art, New York, 1999, item 350.